Cut bills, not corners: put energy efficiency at the heart of the cost of living fight

(Credit: Adobe Stock)

Sarah Kostense-Winterton, Executive Director | Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association

3 min read60 min Partner content

For millions of families, keeping the home warm is a major pressure – particularly for those on lower incomes and in poorly insulated homes

The cost of living remains a central concern for households across Britain. That is why First Secretary of State Louise Haigh’s new Cost of Living Taskforce matters. As she puts it, the task is about “putting people back in control” and making everyday essentials “more affordable and more accountable”.¹ Energy efficiency should be central to that mission.

Any serious strategy to cut the cost of living must look beyond the price households pay for each unit of energy. It must focus on outcomes – ensuring upgrades deliver real reductions in energy use and lower bills, not simply installations on paper.

The cheapest energy for a household is energy it does not have to use
Improving Britain’s housing stock is one of the most practical ways to cut bills while making homes warmer and more comfortable. Better insulation reduces heat loss in winter and can prevent overheating in summer, allowing households to use less energy without compromising comfort.

For those least able to absorb higher bills, that means a lasting saving – not simply help with the next energy bill.

The benefits go beyond individual households. If millions of homes need less energy, we can reduce pressure on the electricity system, particularly at peak times, strengthening energy security and potentially reducing the need for additional generation and network capacity.

We know progress is possible. Between 2004 and 2015, gas consumption for a typical dual-fuel household fell by 37 per cent, while electricity consumption fell by 18 per cent, due to energy efficiency including insulation, despite households using significantly more electrical appliances.²

The Committee on Fuel Poverty has recommended greater focus on insulation³ arguing that it delivers significant savings to households and the state because heating savings are experienced every year. Building fabric improvements should sit alongside heating upgrades, not behind them. A better-insulated home needs less energy to heat, helping heating systems work more efficiently and potentially reducing running costs.

The potential savings for the country are substantial. Analysis using the UK Green Building Council’s Home Retrofit Calculator has indicated that combining insulation with cleaner heating could save between £150bn and £300bn over 25 years in electricity generation and grid costs.⁴

But investment must be judged by outcomes, not installations. Are homes warmer? Are bills lower? Is public money delivering lasting value?

Strong standards, accountability and consumer protection are essential. Poor quality work wastes money and undermines confidence. Support should reward businesses that deliver durable, measurable improvements.

A major programme of home improvement can also create skilled jobs across construction, insulation, heating and the wider retrofit supply chain.

Energy efficiency should not be an add-on to the cost of living agenda. It tackles the problem at source – making homes warmer, bills lower, communities stronger and our energy system more secure.

MIMA’s priorities

Get the basics right. Treat building fabric alongside heating improvements. Better insulation can reduce the heat a home needs, helping heating systems work more efficiently and potentially allowing for smaller heat pumps and lower running costs.
Reward results, not installations. Measure whether homes are warmer, cheaper to run and more comfortable – not simply how many measures have been fitted.
Put consumers first. Stronger standards, clear accountability and effective redress are essential. MIMA advocates outcomes-based guarantees that protect consumers while rewarding businesses that deliver quality and lasting results.

Find out more at www.mima.info or contact Sarah Kostense-Winterton on [email protected].

References